No imminent peace deal between 'Israel', Saudi Arabia: Sullivan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Aug 2023 00:18

The US National Security Advisor says US President Joe Biden's administration is in talks with both Saudi Arabia and "Israel" over normalizing ties

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during the annual meeting of the Arms Control Association at the National Press Club on June 2, 2023, in Washington, DC (AFP)

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan pointed out on Tuesday that "there are still ways to travel" to sign a deal with Riyadh that could normalize ties between Saudi Arabia and the Israeli occupation.

Sullivan, who has visited Saudi Arabia several times over the last six months, told reporters in a press briefing that he doesn't want to discuss the matter in detail but indicated that US President Joe Biden's administration is in talks with both Saudi Arabia and "Israel" over the file.

"For now, it is done in diplomatic channels...and there are still ways to travel...these are highly technical issues," the US diplomat mentioned, making it clear that there was no near announcement on a potential deal agreement.

Axios suggested that "Sullivan's comments appeared to be an attempt to try to lower expectations after a flurry of press reports suggested an agreement could be close."

The US National Security Advisor considered that "peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia would be a big deal," pointing out that a normalization agreement would be in the interest of Washington.

US officials have told Axios that the Biden administration wants to conclude its diplomatic effort with Saudi Arabia before Biden's agenda is consumed by the presidential election campaign.

However, numerous topics remain unresolved, including a potential defense pact between the US and Saudi Arabia and US assistance for a civilian nuclear program that would entail uranium enrichment on Saudi soil.

Sullivan told reporters that the US administration intends to seek advice from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on a potential civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia that would involve uranium enrichment.

Elsewhere, the US diplomat did not disclose whether Biden is considering meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the G20 conference in New Delhi next month.

A couple of days ago, Israeli media reported that the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "Israel" would not agree to any of its "neighbors" having a nuclear program, in reference to Saudi Arabia.

The Israeli newspaper "Israel" Hayom claimed that "Israel" and Saudi Arabia are not close to reaching a normalization agreement at the present time.

In early August, Israeli media indicated that Saudi Arabia is setting hard conditions for normalizing ties with the Israeli occupation, including receiving "Israel's" consent to enrich uranium, building a nuclear reactor for peaceful purposes, and establishing a defense alliance between Riyadh and Washington, among other conditions.

In addition, the Israeli Walla! news website revealed, earlier, the details of a phone conversation between US State Secretary of State Antony Blinken with the Israeli occupation Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.

According to the website, Blinken told Cohen that the United States could not do much to expedite or boost the normalization process with the Israeli occupation in the Arab world.

The top US diplomat also told Cohen that it was much more difficult for Washington, and perhaps even impossible, to enhance or expand normalization agreements through normalization with Saudi Arabia, while the Israeli occupation's backyard is troubled, referring to the recent escalation in the occupied West Bank.